Cod Gone Wild Full Bio

COD GONE WILD full bio here:

Based out of BC’s Okanagan Valley since 2009, this Celtic inspired band is focused on
giving traditional music a modern edge. Blending the varied talents of musicians whose
classical, folk, rock and jazz backgrounds fuse together to create a dynamic and unique
sound that instantly connects and resonates with audiences. Through their uplifting
energy and remarkable stage presence, they weave together a tapestry of tales that evoke
a nostalgic experience of days gone by. Booking everything from weddings to festivals,
house concerts to sports tournaments, their music and performance is diverse and
adaptable to any size venue or demographic.

Having independently recorded and produced three albums to date that primarily feature
traditional tunes (Cod Gone Wild, The Traveler and Battered and Fried), they have an
increasing amount of original material that has come with their maturity as musicians,
songwriters and performers that we can expect to hear on their new album set to be
released in May 2017.

Extensive touring has taken them from San Francisco to Newfoundland, playing an
average of 100 shows a year with that number steadily on the rise. Known for their
charismatic energy, amazing vocal harmonies and their superior lights and sound
production, the band delivers an entertaining show that keeps people coming back for
more.

Cod Gone Wild’s success is undoubtedly due to their ability to harness their individual
talents into a collaborative vision resulting in unparalleled chemistry both on and off the
stage, a formula that has earned them flawless reviews, a mounting fan base and regular
airplay across the country and on-line all over the world.
Band Members:

ANDREW MERCER
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Bohdran

Born and raised in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Andrew has been surrounded by
music his entire life. He formed his first Celtic band in high school and at age 17
released his first commercial recording with the band Ocean Skye. The band was
nominated for two Newfoundland and Labrador Music Industry Awards and
Andrew was selected as one of the winners of a National Songwriting Competition
for the song “I Remember.” Diplomatic and easy-going, yet fiercely stubborn and
dedicated, on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Andrew provides the platform for the
band’s song repertoire and authentic background. Driven by his traditional east
coast roots, he has been heavily influenced by pioneering East Coast/Newfoundland
bands like Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, Great Big Sea and The Fables.
Andrew went to Memorial University of Newfoundland where he earned a Bachelor
of Commerce Degree, which he uses to run the band. When he is not performing
with Cod Gone Wild, Andrew is the Director of the Okanagan Celtic Choir in Vernon,
BC and is an avid curler (he represented Newfoundland at five National Curling
Championships).

SUSAN AYLARD
Fiddle, Vocals

Sue started her violin studies before her 3rd birthday at the Vancouver Academy of
Music. During her studies throughout western Canada she placed first in the Senior
Division at the BC Festival of the Arts, her “Sabeon Trio” twice competed at the
National Music Competition and most recently she received the prestigious
Okanagan Arts award. Sue has travelled the world performing in Sweden, Russia,
Denmark, Mexico, the USA and Ireland.

After years of playing professionally in various BC orchestras and fronting the “Cats
and the Fiddle” and “Rough Pearl” she has decided to limit her spy covers to the
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and fiddling upstream with Cod Gone Wild. Sue
likes to describe her style as “Rough Pearl Fiddling”. Her Baroque (translated to
Rough Pearl) classical training is definitely evident in her arrangements and abilites.
When not switching between violin and fiddle, she is managing the Maples
Waterfront Resort and B&B in Sorrento, BC, with her husband and two children.

DAVID MIHAL
Drums, Percussion

Influenced by the many great drummers of the 70’s, David began playing in his early
teens and was soon working at a professional level. Some of his early work included
Canadian blues artist Rita Chiarelli and RCA recording artist Shawne Jackson
(Domenic Troiano).

While living in Toronto and studying with drummer and author Peter Magadini,
David was asked to join Canadian jazz icon Oliver Jones and tour the US with
Jamaican singer Kenny Hamilton. Living in New York City while touring with that
project greatly influenced his musical development, providing the opportunity to
meet many of the great artists and drummers of that period, including Elvin Jones.
Upon returning to Canada, David spent the early 80’s touring and recording with the
“Refugee” forerunner “Michael Fury”.

David currently records drum tracks for projects around the world from his private
studio in Kelowna, BC, and as of 2014, is spending much of his time in Los Angeles.

SEAN BRAY
Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals

Sean Bray is a well-respected guitarist, composer and educator who has played with
various artists on many diverse projects. CBC Radio named Bray as one of Canada’s
top 50 guitarists of all time.

While in New York, Bray studied at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Bray
has played with and/or recorded with George Garzone, Pat LaBarbera, Bob Mintzer,
Jon Faddis, Liberty Silver, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, from the Blues Brothers, Mike
Murley and Vincent Wolfe. He also composes for film and television and has taught
at The University of Guelph and The Toronto Film School.

According to jazz guitar legend John Abercrombie, “Sean Bray is a real treat to listen
to.” Possessing the ability to fit into many musical genres, while still retaining an
unmistakably original voice on his instrument, has made him an in demand session
player in Canada.

He also leads the popular Sean Bray’s Peach Trio. Bray is endorsed
by PRS Guitars, Planet Waves and D’Addario strings.

MARTYN JONES
Bass, Vocals

Bassist Martyn Jones was born in the blustery borough of Liverpool. A bit late to
catch that initial wave of pop music that broke out all over North America, he began
his life of music when, at age six his family moved to Prince Edward Island. “You
were considered a little weird if you didn’t play some kind of instrument so I took
up ‘campfire guitar.”

A working bassist by fourteen, Martyn has put together a busy musical career with
some 60 album credits on several instruments and several producer credits
including Beverley McKeen and an Aboriginal Award winning record with Art
Napoleon called SISKABUSH TALES.

Martyn also has a fine singing voice and a keen harmony ear. “I just love harmonies.
I’m from when if you didn’t sing you weren’t hireable. Our family sang in the car on
long trips and my dad directed the choir.” These days Martyn lives on Vancouver
Island and continues his musical journey in the company of COD GONE WILD.